James Michael Steele’s Post

How Conservative School Boards Lead Positive Change in Education Discover how conservative school boards are enacting impactful change by removing divisive ideologies and focusing on an inclusive education system. Learn about policies, accountability, and the role of administrators in maintaining a supportive classroom environment. #ConservativeEducationReform #PositiveChangeInSchools #InclusiveEducation #AccountabilityInEducation #PoliciesInSchools #SchoolBoardImpact #ClassroomEnvironment #EducationReform #SchoolPolicy #ConservativeSchoolBoards

A fascinating article. Let's hope we see more higher level decisions made in this vein. A lot seems to be happening at grass roots level, individual teachers and departments, but this is an example of what really needs to happen. #cognitivescience #cogsci #scienceoflearning #effectiveteaching #studentsuccess

Dealing with Parents Who Want to Dictate School Policy As educators, we've all encountered parents who try to dictate how they want to be treated or what they want the school to do. But what happens when their demands go against school policy? I recall a parent who was invited to discuss their child's behavior. I explained our school's stand and policy, but they continued to insist on their way. I politely yet firmly stood by our policy, even when they compared us to other schools. Key Takeaways: 👉 Know Your School's Policy: Be clear on your school's mission, vision, and policies. 👉 Communicate Effectively: Explain the reasoning behind your policies. 👉 Stand Firm: Politely yet firmly maintain your school's standards. 👉 Avoid Comparisons: Focus on your school's unique values and strengths. Remember, as educators, we must prioritize our school's mission and vision. Let's stand together in providing a quality education while maintaining our school's integrity! PS:Share your own experiences and tips on dealing with demanding parents! #EducatorLife #ParentCommunication #SchoolPolicy #MissionAndVision #StandFirm #QualityEducation

"It’s not about the student being ready. It’s about our system being ready for the student." -Dr. Shelly Viramontez, Superintendent Campbell Union School District’s leaders and teachers were seeing a significant increase in the number of younger students showing up to school with a lack of school readiness skills. This caused disruptions to the classroom and teachers and staff felt underprepared to address these new students’ academic and emotional needs. Something had to be adjusted, and quickly, before the achievement gap became larger and more challenging to close. Download this case study to learn how the district successfully prepared for new challenges and an influx of younger students. https://lnkd.in/eGDixQC4 #edleaders #continuousimprovement #organizationalexcellence #achievementgap #casestudy

Schools and districts that prioritize learning and implementing school-family partnership best practices can see a massive reduction in chronic absenteeism, as well as a host of other positive outcomes. For instance, several districts in California cut their absenteeism rates in half by implementing relationship-centered home visits. Other districts have made significant strides by utilizing TalkingPoints and other two-way communication apps. How is your school or district proactively setting a strong foundation for next school year? Please reach out if I can support your next steps, and pick up a copy of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together! #familyengagement #schools #teachers #students #families Solution Tree NAFSCE (National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement) TalkingPoints National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Connecticut Family School Partnerships Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation

Summer is over for teachers, meaning a return to the classroom. Or perhaps not. Many teachers did not just leave the classroom for the summer — they’re leaving the profession entirely. Dr. Alexander Rohrer, DSocSci, Community School Director at Burrowes ES, shares a column with LNP on teacher burnout and attrition in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s teacher attrition rates hit record highs in recent years, with 6.7% of teachers leaving in 2023-24. In Lancaster County, the rate stands at 6.3%, with teachers of color facing the highest turnover rates. The primary culprit? Burnout. With teachers wearing many hats—from educators to security personnel—demands are soaring. To address this crisis, communities must rally to support teachers, reduce demands, and foster connections to reignite the passion that brought them into the classroom. #Education #communityaction #community

Empower your school community with the transformative tools to cultivate belonging and inclusivity. Dive into this essential guide on fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued. Together, let's ignite a passion for learning and belonging in education. https://lnkd.in/gnJKM8EQ

These are great examples of how education is transforming.

“We don’t say our students are underserved; we say they have been under championed.” Excited to be at Council of the Great City Schools Fall Conference to learn from the leaders of the Council’s district members and partners. Here are some highlights from Day 1: - Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District, emphasizes the importance of language in education, stating, “We don’t say our students are underserved; we say they have been under championed.” - Dr. Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools, said district policies that are meant to support attendance may actually be creating chronic absenteeism, such as suspension for not attending school. He suggests combating chronic absenteeism by creating an Attendance Department and assigning each staff member to focus on the attendance of 5 students. - Emily Bailard, CEO of EveryDay Labs, reveals that every absence from school corresponds to approximately a 1 percentile decrease in academic performance on state test scores. - Akisha Osei Sarfo, Ph.D., Director of Research for Council of the Great City Schools, highlights the correlation between the percentage of students who were ready for kindergarten and the percentage of students who graduated high school 12 years later. We need to monitor student performance from the moment they enter the system. #Education #Leadership #LearningFromTheBest